Inside Out: Sharing Our Truth Opening Reception

LGBT military veterans share personal stories regarding experiences in the military and of reintegration into civilian communities via painted uniforms. Runs through 10/22.

“INSIDE OUT” – LGBT Military Veterans Share Their Truth

A New Exhibit at the Museum of the American Military Family

For Immediate Release

For Additional Information: Dr. Circe Olson Woessner, Executive Director (505) 504-6830

August 13, 2017

 Inside Out: Memories from Inside the Closet, a new exhibit at the Museum of the American Military Family (MAMF) in Tijeras, debuts on September 17 with a special music and spoken word program from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. The exhibit is a collection  of  special works painted on military uniforms by LGBT  military veterans and will launch the release of a MAMF anthology titled SHOUT! Sharing Our Truth  -- stories by LGBT veterans and family members about their experiences both in the military and in re-integrating into civilian communities. Anthology authors will read from their works during the program. The book is co-edited by Dr. Circe Olson Woessner, MAMF Executive Director, and Lora Beldon, Founder of Military Kid Art and Co-Director of Military Brat Institute.

Woessner explains that “MAMF is an all-inclusive Museum dedicated to present all aspects of life in and around military service. Through our anthology and this exhibit, we share with the public unique stories that haven’t often been told.”

Beldon says she is “honored to be able to be a part of the military family museum by co-editing the SHOUT Anthology. The military family museum does wonderful work for our communities, both  military and civilian. Any time someone makes a huge effort to reach out to military brats young and old and then  reaches  even further to military communities that are more marginalized! People reach out so seldom, that you have to take notice of those people or groups that make that effort. The military family museum does it over and over and over.”

 Woessner says the exhibit program is “exceptionally timely because of recent announcements from the White House about transgender citizens serving in the military and because it presents views of LGBT military life during the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell era.’”

“Inside Out” will run through mid-October and is free to visitors. Also on display are the MAMF permanent exhibits showing the sacrifices and service of military families, the history of elementary and secondary schools around the world for military kids, and a collection of humorous cartoons about military life.

MAMF is open Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 till 6:00 pm or by appointment. It is at 546B State Highway 333 (Old Route 66) in Tijeras right next to Molly’s Bar. Telephone : (505) 504-6830; e-mail militaryfamilymuseum@comcast.net. More information is available at www.militaryfamilymuseum.org.

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